A ten-year biodiversity study translated into a data-driven game

Internet of Elephants (IoE) - a social enterprise based in Kenya and US, and a collaboration between technologists, conservationists, educators, game designers and strategists - asked Dutch data design and technology company CLEVER°FRANKE to design an engaging learning experience based on an extensive biodiversity study by Professor David Macdonald and the Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU).

This ten-year study documents the impact of deforestation on the habitat of the clouded leopard, and other species, in South-East Asia - the world's fastest shrinking natural habitat. With the largest network of camera traps in history, and 34 research sites. These cameras collect data on species' location, population size and interaction. The cameras are automatically triggered by a change in activity in their vicinity, like the presence of an animal.

CLEVER°FRANKE have used the enormous data collection from this research to create Unseen Empire. Its objective: for the wider public to understand the efforts by humans to keep biodiversity and wild spaces intact. To bring the world of scientific researchers to life.

Unseen Empire is a data-driven game. Every tile within the game is based on real elevation data of a specific research site, and the colours are based on the landscape type. It combines data visualisations, photos, and game elements. A truly innovative way of telling science stories, making them engaging and impactful - raising awareness.